Why Second Opinions Matter

A suspicious lung scan raises an urgent question: Where should you go next? Dr. Inderpal Sarkaria explains why involving an experienced lung cancer team—with a multidisciplinary tumor board—early, before a biopsy is performed, can help guide the steps that follow.   In this episode of Crazy Good Ageing, Dorthy Shore speaks with Dr. Sarkaria, Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, about what patients should understand from the first suspicious scan through diagnosis and treatment.   Drawing on Dorthy's own lung cancer experience, they discuss how specialists work together to evaluate a lung nodule, plan testing, determine the stage of cancer, and recommend a treatment approach.   Topics include: • Where to turn after a suspicious lung scan • What a tumor board does and why it matters • Why biopsy planning should involve an experienced lung cancer team • Screening considerations for former smokers • When to seek a second opinion • Robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery • How surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy fit into treatment • Molecular testing and the future of personalized cancer care   For patients and families, this conversation offers a clearer understanding of the process—and questions to ask before taking the next step.   Subscribe to Crazy Good Ageing for more conversations about health, longevity, and living fully. Visit Prime Women and sign up for our free newsletter: https://primewomen.com   This conversation is for general education. Discuss your individual screening, diagnostic, and treatment needs with your healthcare team.   #LungCancer #ThoracicSurgery #CrazyGoodAgeing

"I was not prepared for what happened."   What is recovery from lung cancer surgery really like? In the third episode of Facing Cancer with Eyes Wide Open, Dorthy Shore shares the difficult first days, the encouraging news, and the questions that remained after her surgery.   Joining her Crazy Good Ageing co-host Valerie Freeman, Dorthy explains why a planned robotic procedure became open surgery—and how her surgeon removed the upper lobe of her left lung, a small portion of the lower lobe, and repaired her pulmonary artery.   She opens up about pain, her hospital stay, accepting help from friends, and the unexpected challenge of returning to Jackson Hole's higher altitude during recovery. In this conversation:   • Why Dorthy sought opinions from three cancer centers • What happened during her lung cancer surgery • Clean surgical margins and negative lymph nodes—and why further review was still needed • The physical and emotional realities of recovery • How faith, prayer, and friendship supported her • Questions about additional treatment after surgery • Her message about speaking up and advocating for your health   This episode was recorded during Dorthy's early recovery. References to upcoming appointments, testing, and treatment decisions reflect what she knew at that time.   WATCH THE SERIES Part 1:    • Special Series - Facing Cancer with Eyes W...   Part 2:    • Special Series - Facing Cancer with Eyes W...     Subscribe to Crazy Good Ageing for honest conversations about health, reinvention, and making the most of life after 50.   Visit https://primewomen.com and sign up for our free newsletter for women over 50.   This conversation shares a personal experience, not medical advice. Discuss symptoms, screening, treatment, and travel after surgery with your healthcare team. #LungCancer #LungCancerRecovery #CrazyGoodAgeing   Chapters 00:00 Facing Cancer with Eyes Wide Open: Part 3 01:18 Why surgery was more complicated than expected 03:40 Removing the tumor and repairing the pulmonary artery 05:02 Pathology results: good news and remaining questions 06:37 Early recovery and follow-up plans 07:14 Returning to Jackson Hole after surgery 09:06 What Dorthy wasn't prepared for 10:56 Why help at home mattered 11:28 Finding the cancer and following up 12:45 Faith, prayer, and support 14:39 Advocating for yourself and preparing for recovery 16:53 Tumor board review and possible next steps 19:02 Gratitude and lessons to share

At 65, lymphoma survivor Mary Cowan Lundquist set out to climb Wyoming's Grand Teton—a 13,775-foot mountain towering over Jackson Hole. In this episode of Crazy Good Aging, Mary shares how cancer treatment changed her body and ended her dream of climbing Mount Everest—but never ended her love for challenge, movement, and adventure. She talks about training for the Grand Teton, learning to climb and rappel, rebuilding trust in her body after cancer, and why taking "minimum viable steps" can help us face any mountain in life. Mary and her climbing partner reached the saddle, but extreme conditions—including 45 mph sustained winds, 75 mph gusts, rain, freezing temperatures, and ice—made it unsafe to continue to the summit. Even without reaching the peak, Mary's journey is a powerful reminder that courage, preparation, and showing up matter. If you are navigating a new chapter, recovering from a setback, starting over, or simply wondering what is still possible after 50, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Crazy Good Aging for more conversations about living boldly, staying curious, and making your next chapter your best one. Learn more from Prime Women: https://primewomen.com/subscribe #GrandTeton #CancerSurvivor #WomenOver60

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, Dorthy sought opinions from specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson and UT Southwestern—but each consultation offered a different perspective on her complicated surgery. In this episode of Crazy Good Aging, Dorthy compares her experiences at all three cancer centers and explains how she ultimately selected the surgeon she trusted to perform the operation. She discusses why patients should research the best specialist for their specific condition, how an updated scan changed one surgeon's assessment and why the surgeon's experience can be just as important as the hospital's reputation. Dorthy also shares the unexpected conversation that reassured her about her choice, the role faith played in finding peace and the lasting lesson her cancer diagnosis taught her about living life to the fullest. Join us for the next episode as Dorthy shares what happened during surgery and how she moved forward afterward. This video presents one patient's personal experience and does not provide medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual diagnosis and treatment options. #CrazyGoodAging #LungCancer #SecondOpinion #CancerJourney #PatientAdvocacy  

A routine scan revealed a suspicious 3.1-centimeter mass in Dorthy's lung—even though she felt completely healthy and had no symptoms. In this deeply personal episode of Crazy Good Aging, Dorthy shares what happened after her first biopsy came back negative, why she agreed to undergo another procedure and how doctors ultimately found cancer within a difficult-to-biopsy calcified mass. She also discusses seeking multiple medical opinions, evaluating conflicting treatment recommendations and relying on faith and a positive outlook while preparing for surgery. Her message for anyone facing a suspicious scan: Act promptly, ask questions, advocate for yourself and seek another opinion when necessary. Subscribe and join us for the next episode, when Dorthy discusses her consultations with specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson and UT Southwestern. This video shares a personal experience and does not provide medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health concerns. #CrazyGoodAging #LungCancer #CancerJourney #PatientAdvocacy #HealthyAging  

Have you ever felt invisible after a certain age? In this episode of Crazy Good Ageing, Prime Women co-founders Dorthy Shore and Valerie Freeman explore the Age Without Limits movement and the persistent ageism women face in media, the workplace, dating, advertising, and everyday life. Fifteen years ago, Dorthy and Valerie along with two other co-founders launched Prime Women because they were tired of seeing women over 50 ignored by mainstream media. Today, they're asking why so many stereotypes about aging still exist—and why women continue to prove them wrong every day. In this episode, we discuss: ✔ Why women often become "invisible" after 50 ✔ Ageism in advertising and media ✔ Dating after 50 and double standards ✔ Starting businesses later in life ✔ Learning technology and adapting to change ✔ Why confidence, friendships, and authenticity improve with age ✔ The Age Without Limits movement and what it means for women today Whether you're 50, 60, 70, or beyond, this conversation will challenge assumptions about aging and remind you that your most exciting chapter may still be ahead. Subscribe to Prime Women: https://primewomen.com/subscribe #AgeWithoutLimits #WomenOver50 #Ageism #PrimeWomen #PositiveAging #CrazyGoodAgeing #WomenEntrepreneurs #LifeAfter50 #HealthyAging #agingwell Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Why Prime Women Was Founded 02:00 The Invisible Woman Syndrome 05:00 Ageism in Advertising and Media 08:00 Workplace Bias Against Older Women 10:00 Dating After 50 11:45 George Clooney vs. Miracle Cream 12:20 Myths About Women Over 50 13:00 Starting a Business Later in Life 15:00 Learning New Skills and Technology 17:30 Prime Women Success Stories 19:00 From Rotary Phones to AI 20:00 What Gets Better With Age 23:00 The Biggest Surprise About Growing OLD 24:10 What the Age Without Limits Movement Means 24:50 Final Thoughts

Worried about memory loss as you age? You're not alone, and the good news is, there's a lot you can do about it. In this episode of Crazy Good Ageing, Dorthy Shore and Valerie Freeman sit down with board-certified neurologist Dr. Debbie Cantrell to break down the truth about brain health, memory loss, and dementia prevention. Dr. Cantrell shares powerful insights on what's actually normal when it comes to memory, what's not, and how to protect your brain starting today. You'll learn: Whether memory loss is a normal part of aging The biggest mistakes people make about brain health How diet, sleep, and exercise impact your brain Why sugar and carbs may be harming your brain Early warning signs of cognitive decline The role of genetics in Alzheimer's disease Practical ways to prevent memory loss How caregivers can protect their own health This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stay sharp, confident, and in control of your future. 👉 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who cares about their brain health!  

Discover the latest innovations in aesthetic medicine with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Burns on Crazy Good Ageing! In this episode, hosts Dorthy Shore and Valerie Freeman explore how plastic surgery and non-invasive treatments are evolving faster than ever. From cutting-edge techniques like Preserve breast augmentation and Renuvion skin tightening to the rise of biostimulators, lasers, and natural-looking results—this conversation breaks down what's changing, what works, and what patients should know. You'll learn: Why plastic surgery is shifting toward more natural results The difference between surgical and non-surgical treatments How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are impacting body procedures New technologies like Renuvion and Preserve Whether you're ever "too old" for cosmetic procedures Why mindset and health matter as much as the procedure itself If you're curious about looking as young as you feel—without overdoing it—this episode is for you. 👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with a friend!

Is gold really a safe investment for retirement—or just clever marketing? In this episode of the Prime Women's Crazy Good Aging Podcast, we explore the truth about gold investing with Brandon Thor, founder of Thor Metals. With longer lifespans, rising healthcare costs, and market uncertainty, many women are asking: 👉 How do I protect my money for the long run? This episode breaks down the reality behind gold IRAs, the trust issues in the industry, and how to evaluate whether gold belongs in your retirement strategy. In This Episode: • Why the gold IRA industry has a trust problem • The biggest red flags when buying gold • What "spreads" really mean (in plain English) • Where gold is stored—and who actually owns it • How buyback policies can save (or cost) you money • The 3 questions every investor should ask before buying • How gold helps protect purchasing power • What gold can—and cannot—do for your retirement Gold isn't about getting rich quickly. It's about protecting what you already have. If you're thinking about retirement, diversification, and long-term financial security—this conversation is for you. About Prime Women Prime Women helps women over 50 thrive in retirement, finances, wellness, and lifestyle. 👉 Visit PrimeWomen.com/subscribe for more expert advice and our free weekly newsletter and 🔔 Subscribe

Why You Can Feel Fine and Still Be at Risk What if feeling perfectly healthy isn't the whole story? In this powerful episode of the Prime Women's Crazy Good Aging Podcast, we tackle a truth every woman needs to hear: heart disease is the number one killer of women — and it can be silent for years. No dramatic warning. No crushing chest pain. No obvious red flags. Just life as usual… until it isn't. "But I Felt Fine." Our guest, Cynthia Pharr, considered herself the picture of health. She exercised. She ate well. She lived fully and actively. A routine stress echocardiogram — ordered simply because her cholesterol was creeping up — changed everything. Without symptoms, without feeling sick, Cynthia learned she had a severe genetic valve condition. Over time, additional testing revealed complex heart issues that ultimately led to open heart surgery and an implanted defibrillator. The most powerful part of her story? She never felt "heart sick." Her message is one every woman needs to hear: Feeling fine can be dangerous if it causes you to skip appointments, ignore symptoms, or decline testing. Why Women Are Often Missed Joining the conversation is Dr. Zarina Sharalaya, interventional cardiologist and specialist in women's heart health. She shares what too many women experience: Symptoms brushed off as anxiety or reflux High blood pressure ignored because "you feel okay" Family history overlooked Risk factors under-tested and under-treated Women are often diagnosed later and treated later. Prevention changes that. Know Your Numbers. Know Your Risk. Dr. Sharalaya outlines the essentials every woman should track: Blood pressure (anything consistently above 130 matters) Cholesterol A1C (blood sugar) Lipoprotein(a) — a genetic cholesterol risk marker High-sensitivity CRP — an inflammation marker Calcium score (especially after age 50) She also emphasizes something many overlook: your family tree may hold hidden heart risk — even if no one had a heart attack. A heart murmur was dismissed for years. Congestive heart failure labeled as "old age." Genetic markers you didn't know existed. Your heart history may be quieter than you think. Menopause Changes the Equation After 50, as estrogen declines, cardiovascular risk increases. Blood pressure may rise. Cholesterol may shift. Even lifelong healthy habits don't make you immune. Prevention isn't panic — it's power. The Takeaway You don't need to be afraid. But you do need to be informed. You do need to ask questions. You do need to advocate for yourself. If you've ever said: "I feel fine." "It's probably nothing." "I'll deal with it later." This episode is for you. And if you love a woman in your life — share it with her. Your heart is talking. Make sure you're listening. Listen now to this vital episode of the Prime Women's Crazy Good Aging Podcast and take one small step toward protecting your future.